India, Oct. 26 -- PithoragarhChief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday inaugurated 33 development projects worth Rs.105.30 crore and laid the foundation stones for 34 others worth Rs.178.76 crore in Pithoragarh. He also distributed cheques totalling more than Rs.1 crore to beneficiaries of various self-employment schemes run by the departments of industries, agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and fisheries. Addressing a gathering, Dhami said the projects would strengthen infrastructure in roads, healthcare, education and other basic amenities. He said promoting tourism, infrastructure and local employment in border areas remained a priority of the state government. The chief minister said the admission process for 50 MBBS seats at Pithoragarh Medical College had begun in the current academic session. He said the medical college, being developed at a cost of more than Rs.750 crore, would provide medical education opportunities to youth in the border district and strengthen healthcare services in the region. He also said the Pithoragarh-Baans-Aonlaghat road and bridge project would reduce the travel distance to Gangolihat and improve access to the Haat Kalika Temple. Dhami said air connectivity from Pithoragarh to Munsiyari, Haldwani, Delhi and Dehradun had been strengthened, while work was under way to develop Naini Saini Airport at an estimated Rs.450 crore. Union minister of state for road transport and highways Ajay Tamta said improved road connectivity had made travel to Gunji and Adi Kailash easier. He also highlighted the expansion of religious and adventure tourism and healthcare facilities in the region....